I recently bought a new 2006 tc, i have heard that i should change my oil every 5000 miles, some people even said more. I was wondering if anyone has ever ran a oil test to see really when it is a good mileage before i do my oil change.

 

every 5000 miles sounds about fine like most cars, its just a tc not any different than any other vehicle

 

... and depends on how you drive.

 

I change mine every 3k or so. If you look in the manual, the service interval for 'agressive use' or 'service vehicle' fits the daily driving habits of most large city drivers; i.e. short hops to different stores, running errands, driving to work and back.

But, it's a Toyota. You should be fine changing it every 5k.

 

Did scion send you guys a letter that you'll get 3 free oil changes?
Well, mine arrived but when i went to the scion dealership to get an oil change they said I only get 1 complementary oil change =/

 

^^ there should be a maintenance booklet that's inside the manual zipper.. thingy....

in it.. in the back, are your complimentary oil changes. there are 3... even so most dealers just rather keep track on the computer instead of signing that booklet. your dealer's messing with you.. and honestly.. i'd yell at them.

scion provides 3 complimentary oil changes.. and if you have any further problems with the dealer... i'd say report them.

 

goto a different dealership. one that knows what they are doing

 

Stealership Full Of Sheet. Would not let them touch my car if I were you. I wish I could sell them or get store credit for them suckers. I'll never use them. Strictly DIYer here!

As far as oil change intervals go. My rule of thumb for the past 27 years is 3K for regular oil and 5K for synthetics. Have had several vehicles go 3-500K with zero engine wear problems.

 

Some people do take samples of their used oil and have it tested. I have done about a dozen on different vehicles in the last few years. For $20 plus $1.50 postage the wear metals, additive levels, water, and anti-freeze are checked and sent back to you. One of the most useful benefits is any indications of ant-freeze in the oil. This is a chronic problem with some models but not Toyota.

You can find this information and how to interpret results at www.bobistheoilguy.com. It takes a while to absorb all the information there but the forums are very good on oil related (and other) questions. There are some real experts there. One interesting fact I found there is that Toyota has a huge problem with sludging in late model V-6 engines and is doing little about it. As I remember, they have something like 3 million engines defined as "at risk for sludge" by the US Transportation Dept.

 

F.Y.I the link above has an extra "period" at the end of the link, so to view the link simply just click on it and remove the period at the end of the sentence.